To help celebrate all the Super Moms in the world this coming Mother's Day, how about giving them some pampering gifts featuring superfoods. ….. self-care we all need more of in our lives and provide simple, healthy recipes for at-home pampering, spa treatments, and treats, using such ingredients as Matcha, Lavender, Rose water, and other spring ingredients that have health benefits.
Finish INTRO TBD Such superfoods as matcha, coconut oil,Gifts perfect for hotter weather, self-care…
Nothing says i love you like a homemade gift..
Moisturizing Strawberry Bath Bombs
Nothing says self-care like a long hot, luxurious bath that smells sweet and inviting. This Moisturizing Strawberry Bath Bomb has coconut oil, which is moisturizing for the skin, and a sweet strawberry scent for some aromatherapy. Strawberries are a superfood because they are high in Vitamin C, which is great for immune health and healthy skin, as well as manganese, Vitamin B9, potassium, and antioxidants. To complete the gift, make a batch of Chocolate-Covered Strawberries for mom to nibble on while she luxuriates in her bath!
Ingredients/Tools:
* 1 cup baking soda
* 1 cup citric acid
* 1 cup cornstarch
* 1/4 cup coconut oil
* 2 tsp water
* 20 drops strawberry fragrance oil
* 4 drops red or pink soap colorant, red mica, or if you can’t find those ingredients online, you can use basic red food coloring.
* 2 medium-size bowls
* A mold. If you don’t want to buy a bath bomb or soap mold, you can use whatever ice cube tray or popsicle molds you have at home.
Instructions:
1. Combine the baking soda, citric acid, and cornstarch.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, water, and strawberry fragrance oil.
3. Slowly add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
4. Add in the colorant slowly until you get the desired shade of pink or red.
5. Pack into your molds firmly. If the mixture crumbles, add a little water until it’s the consistency of packed mud.
6. Let dry for 24 hours.
7. Once dry, carefully pop them out of the mold and package up for mom. You can wrap them up in tissue paper, put them in a decorative box, or place them in a cute mason jar with a bow to give to your mom. To use: Simply pop into a hot bath, relax, and enjoy with a side of Chocolate-Covered Strawberries and some pink champagne!
Photo Credit: by Amy, simplemomreview.com
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
You can make Chocolate-Covered Strawberries with semi-sweet chocolate, but dark chocolate has even more health properties that make this sweet treat especially good for you. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and studies have shown that it can lower the risk of heart disease, improve your mood (including what’s known as COVID-19 sadness), lower risk of depression, protect your skin from the sun, disarm free radicals, among other benefits.
You can gift these healthy treats solo or bundle them with the Strawberry Bath Bomb. (Pssst! If you don’t have time to make these, you can always buy them online from Edible Arrangements or another food vendor!)
Ingredients/Tools:
* 6 ounces of dark chocolate
* 1 pound of strawberries (rinsed well and with the stems still on)
* Chocolate melter or medium saucepan and heatproof bowl
* Baking sheet
* Wax or parchment paper
Instructions:
1. Get a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper ready.
2. Melt the chocolate. If you have a chocolate melter, use that. If you don’t have one, you can use a heatproof bowl and a medium-size saucepan. Fill the saucepan with a few inches of water and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat and place the bowl on top with of the pan with the chocolate in it to melt.
3. Stir until smooth.
4. While the chocolate is still hot, dip and twirl your strawberries in the melted chocolate covering the strawberry completely, but leaving the stem out.
5. Quickly place on the sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper to cool.
Photo Credit: by Lisa Bryan, downshiftology.com
Matcha & Sugar Exfoliating Scrub
What can’t you do with Matcha? Drinking it daily is a great pick-me-up that’s chock full of healthy properties, but you can also bake with it, cook with it, and use it in home-made skin care treatments. Because Matcha contains chlorophyll, which is a natural antibacterial, it helps to remove excess oils from your skin and eliminate the bacteria which causes bacterial acne. Additionally, the caffeine and tannins in this Japanese green can help reduce puffy eyes and dark circles.
If you buy Matcha from a nice tea shop, you know that high-grade ceremonial Matcha can cost a lot more than your average green tea. You don’t need to use the good stuff for this recipe. You can get the same effect with a lower-cost grocery store brand of Matcha. Or, if you do have the good stuff and it’s about to expire, use it for this recipe so that this magical superfood does not go to waste.
Ingredients/Tools:
* 1 ¼ cup sugar (you can use white cane sugar or the brown raw or Turbinado sugar)
* ¼ cup coconut oil
* 1 teaspoon of Matcha powder
* 1 teaspoon of regular loose green tea leaves
* Glass jar for gifting
Photo Credit: by Carrie Carrie Borzillo
Instructions:
1. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. If your coconut oil is hard, melt it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
3. Slowly add the oil to the dry mixture until you get the consistency of damp sand.
4. Package it up in a cute jar, such as a glass mason or canning jar.
To use as a facial scrub:
* Warning: This isn’t meant to sit on your face. As you’re scrubbing, it’s likely to fall off and get a bit messy. Do this over a sink or in the shower.
* Dampen your face and then gently massage a small amount to your face and neck for a few minutes.
* Rinse when done.
To use as a body scrub:
* Double this recipe first
* While in the shower gently scrub the mixture onto your body slough off those dead skin cells.
* Rinse when done.
Photo Credit: Carrie Borzillo
Avocado & Honey Facial Mask
This Avocado & Honey Face Mask is a true classic for an at-home superfood facial. The avocado makes it hydrating, the honey is cleansing, and the apple cider is toning and helps perfect the pH balance for all skin types. Only make this in a small batch and use it immediately. This recipe makes about 2 applications, so it’s good to use for a Mother and Daughter at-home spa day!
Ingredients/Tools:
* ¼ cup avocado
* 2 tablespoons raw honey
* ½ teaspoon cider vinegar
* Glass jar for gifting
Instructions:
Simply combine all three ingredients in a food processor until smooth. It’s that easy!
How to use:
1. Apply a thin layer to clean, damp skin.
2. Let it dry on your face.
3. Rinse off with warm water.
Photo Credit: Carrie Borzillo
Reminder: For the skin and bath products, test on a small patch of skin first. If you have any skin conditions or issues, consult your dermatologist first.
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